Part 28 (2/2)
Rischenheim took no notice of him, but knocked loudly The door was opened, and he told the butler to carry his na stood in perplexity on the step The croas delighted with the co Anton von Strofzin did not reappear Rischenheied himself inside the doorway and stood on the threshold of the hall
There he heard voices proceeding fronized the queen's, , ”I will inform the count of your Majesty's wishes”
The door of the room opened; the butler appeared, and immediately behind him Anton von Strofzin and Bernenstein Bernenstein had the young fellow by the arh the hall They passed the butler, who made way for theain,” said Rischenheim with a bow
The chancellor rubbed his hands in nervous perturbation The butler stepped up and delivered his retted her inability to receive the count Rischenhei so that the door could not be shut, asked Bernenstein whether he knehere the king was
Now Bernenstein was et the pair of theerness
”Do you want another intervieith the king already?” he asked with a smile ”The last was so pleasant, then?”
Rischenheim took no notice of the taunt, but observed sarcastically: ”There's a strange difficulty in finding our good king The chancellor here doesn't knohere he is, or at least he won't answerhas his reasons for not wishi+ng to be disturbed,”
suggested Bernenstein
”It's very possible,” retorted Rischenheinificantly
”Meanwhile, my dear count, I shall take it as a personal favor if you'll move out of the doorway”
”Do I inco here?” answered the count
”Infinitely, my lord,” answered Bernenstein stiffly
”Hallo, Bernenstein, what's the lances had grown angry The crowd also had noticed the raised voices and hostile ather round in a roup
Suddenly a voice came from inside the hall: it was distinct and loud, yet not without a touch of huskiness The sound of it hushed the rising quarrel and silenced the crowd into expectant stillness Bernenstein looked aghast, Rischenheiratified
”The king!” he cried, and burst into a laugh ”You've drawn him, Rischenheim!”
The crowd heard his boyish exclah to rebuke the hi chose any risk sooner than let Rischenheio back and warn Rupert of his presence
”Is that the Count of Luzau-Rischenheim?” called Rudolf from within ”If so, let hi in his tone that alarmed Rischenheiht him by the arm
”Since you wish to corih he ht The next moment Bernenstein was thrust aside For one short instant a tall figure appeared in the doorway; the crowd had but a gliain Rischenheily but helplessly through the door Bernenstein followed; the door was shut Anton faced round on Helsing, a scornful twist on his lips
”There was a deuced lot of ,” said he ”Why couldn't you say he was there?” And without waiting for an answer fro down the steps and cli noisily, delighted to have caught a gliht hi that they would soon coe that still stood waiting
Had they been able to see inside the door, their emotion would have been stirred to a keener pitch Rudolf hiht Rischenheim by the arm, and without a moment's delay led hie and reached a sarden Rudolf had known et its resources
”Shut the door, Bernenstein,” said Rudolf Then he turned to Rischenheim ”My lord,” he said, ”I suppose you ca Do you know it now?”